Surprise visit

“Flowers,”

Checked.

“Decorations.”

Checked.

Janice listed as she ticked the box in front of each category.

Her eyes dimmed, and she let out a groan as she realized she had been working for a long time without eating.

“I should go on a coffee break soon.” She mumbled, staring at the pile of unfinished work in front of her.

Yet, she knew it wouldn't be possible soon. Because she needed to finish the paperwork in front of her, and she loathed procrastination, which was becoming a part of her now.

A few seconds into the work, her shoulder drooped, and her hands trembled.

The pen she gripped in her hand clattered on the brown mahogany desk and rolled down to the floor.

“I should probably get something to eat now, else I would pass out.” Janice rubbed her temple as she felt a headache brewing.

She nudged the remaining paperwork aside before pushing herself out of the brown leather chair she was in. 

She undid the button of the black skinny jeans she donned to allow freedom as she felt it gripping her waist too tight.

Janice snatched her keys off the table and slipped them inside the brown clutch she often carries about.

And slipped her feet into the ballerina flats she had pulled off, so she'd be able to stretch her feet.

Lurching, she gripped her chest as she noticed someone in front of the entrance when she unlocked the door.

“You startled me!” She glared up at Jules. “Besides, what are you doing here?”

Jules drank in her feature and stared at her longer than it was necessary. 

He wondered if what Maggie had told him was the truth, since he didn't notice any difference in her at the wedding, and even now.

She looked the same except for the lack of colour in her skin, and her eyes looked weary. He noticed she had bags underneath each.

He recalled he hadn't used protection the night they met, and that was because there was none available. 

Moreover, looking at the way both of them had felt that day, he believed protection wouldn't have been an option. Perhaps they would have done the deed before realizing it.

More so, he assumed Janice was on birth control pills.

It was startling to know he was her first, after seeing some dried blood the next morning in the back seat of his car.

He had never been with a virgin before, and he didn't know how to treat one. Likewise, he was glad that it was until the next morning he had seen the blood because he didn't know what he would have done.

He believed leaving as soon as they did, it saved him from the awkward feelings that would have emerged the next morning. Most virgins, he believed, were naïve and sort of clingy.

It was the last thing he needed. He liked his women to be experienced and have the knowledge that he was only with them for the night and nothing else.

“What are you doing here?” Janice repeated, eyeing him.

Yet, he didn't reply. Rather, he continued scrutinizing her.

Instinctively, Janice's hand went to stroke her stomach.

She saw him following each movement she made with her hand from the corner of her eyes.

Did he know about the baby? She thought.

It was unlikely, except Maggie had disclosed her secret to her husband, who may have, in turn, mentioned it to his brother.

“I'm here to see you,” Jules stated.

“Well,” Janice began. “We are close for the day. Perhaps you should come tomorrow or maybe set up an appointment because I might be booked tomorrow as well.” Janice said with an ounce of professionalism in her voice.

“I'm not here to plan a freaking wedding,” Jules's lips twisted, and he grunted.

“Then we can't see. Adios.” Janice mumbled.

She attempted to walk past him, but he gripped her hand, halting her.

And just like before, the force of attraction between them skyrocketed.

“What do you want?” She inquired, scowling. Even though what she wanted was to have him take her once again inside her office.

Shit! She mumbled mentally, pushing the strange thought of wanting him aside.

“You are pregnant,” Jules said simply.

He knew, and it was all Maggi's fault. Still, was aware before telling Maggie, she wouldn't be able to keep the secret to herself. 

Moreover, she believed Maggie hadn't told him directly. Jules might have overheard her when she was saying it to her husband.

“Do I look like I am?” Janice said with a raised brow.

“Don't play dumb with me,” Jules said, then continued. “Who's the father?”

A giggle slipped out of her lips as she saw the stern look present on his face. “You are not my father to ask me that.”

“Also, you have no right to come into my office asking who the father of my baby is! It's not like I even told you I was pregnant.”

“I heard it from Maggie. And I know when someone is pregnant.” He pointed out.

“Who is the father?” He repeated, gazing at her.

“He or she is fatherless. And it is none of your business.” Janice retorted.

“Don't play with me,” He grunted, then tightened his grip on her.

“Unhand me, Jules!”

Janice noticed how foreign his name sounded. Yet, she liked the way her body responded.

“Fine.” He mumbled, releasing his grip on her.

She stroked her wrist and noticed the red slashed on it.

“You should tell me if the baby is mine, so I would take responsibility,” He said.

Responsibility?

Such a big word!

It was a word Janice loathed. She didn't want any of her children to be the reason any man would take responsibility. Her father had said the same thing to her mother, and it was happening again to her. So much for not wanting to go down the path her mother went.

“I'm not pregnant.”

“Very well,” Jules said, watching her with narrowed eyes.

He knew she was lying, but he didn't want to pressurize her. 

She looked overworked, and as if she would slump if he did.

Jules watched her take a step forward, then stumbled as he had thought. He caught her before she could slam into the tiled floor.

Her head lolled as she slipped into unconsciousness.

Startled, he stared at the passed out figure of the woman he had come to confront in his hands.

What was he going to do with her? No woman had ever fainted in front of him before, except for those women that wanted to fake staying with him for more than a day after their night together.

He knew those kinds of women and never wasted his time in trying to see to their wellbeing. Rather, he often instructs one of his bodyguards to see to it.

But Janice wasn't faking it. He had seen that she was going to collapse. And she looked a little malnourished. 

He placed his index finger beneath her throat to feel for a pulse, and he discovered how faint it was.

He remembered the first aid class he had taken during college and what they had thought about how to help unconscious people.

Jules hoisted her off the floor to the only chair in the office. He laid her gently on the brown sofa, then took her hand whilst rubbing it in an up and down manner.

He wondered if he was doing it right, but some seconds later, he saw her lashes flutter against her cheek. Before she opened her eyes.

“I think I'm going to be sick,” Janice muttered.

Abruptly, she stood, and he watched as she jetted out of the sofa and darted around the small room into a corner.

He followed her and watched as she crouched beside the toilet seat, retching.

He stepped towards her, lifted her hair away from her pale face, then stroked her back.

“You'll be fine.” He mumbled as she kept hurling the content in her stomach.

“I'll be back,” Jules said when he saw she was done.

“I hate this feeling.” Janice groaned, caressing her tummy.

She hadn't eaten yet, and the pang in the lower part of her belly became worse.

“Let me drive you home,” He stepped in a while later. He saw her reclining on the sofa with her hands covering her face.

Janice didn't object like she had the last time he had offered to drive her home. She followed him outside after locking her office.

A sigh drifted out of her mouth as she slipped into his sleek Cadillac.

“Address.”

“5 Dalton road,” Janice mumbled.

Her eyes became heavy, then snapped open when Jules tapped her shoulder.

“Thanks.” Janice stepped out of the car, then halted as Jules's voice sounded.

“Be ready by noon tomorrow.”

“Why?” she asked.

“I'm taking you to see a doctor,” He said.

“Thanks, but no, thanks,” Janice grunted. “If I want a doctor, I'll find one myself.”

“I'm talking about a good doctor and not some roadside quack,”

Janice narrowed her eyes as she gazed at him. He was pompous, and she loathed men like that.

“I don't care. It's my body, and I'll go wherever I want.” Janice said.

“Not if the baby you are carrying is mine,” He grunted.

He noticed her protective stance, and he wondered what she was thinking of.

“Even if the baby is yours, I'm going nowhere with you.” Janice flung back.

“Try me.” He rasped.

Janice glared as she stared at his cold face for a while before stalking inside the comfort of the house.